givemesleeporgivemechocolate - I have a question for oyu

[missionimpossible]

Didn't want to hijack statement hrs" post you were contributing to. Can you tell me how you son was dx ADHD initially, with a further dx of autism? I mean, was it obvious before that he was both? or was it something school or age bought out - iyswim. Sorry to pry, but my dx ADHD ds has other behavior traits I see but no-one else does. Thanks

Hiya, it's fine! J was dx'd ADHD because everyone who ever saw him could see that he was totally completely hyperactive, impulsive and lacking in any concentration whatsoever!
I had no clue at all that he was also ADHD - CAMHS psychiatrist who dx'd the ADHD missed it too - and it wasn't until he got to 6 and wasn't quite so hyper that the 'oddness' (for want of a better word) became more apparent. That and the fact that he was so socially inept with adults and kids. I didn't think much of it, and put it all down to the ADHD, but things got awful at school so we went back to CAMHS to see a new psychiatrist (old one on maternity leave) to talk about medication who instantly recognised that this was more than ADHD and started the diagnosis ball rolling. didn't believe it for ages, till I really started reading up on it.
Once he was medicated you could see the autism so completely. Before, he was so hyper that you couldn't see the more subtle social defecits. Now, his use of language and the way he interacts is just so clearly wrong that I can't work out how I never saw it before.

What behaviour traits has he got?

He is quite hyper, speech is a bit immature although good language skills, lacks concentration for longer periods (mainly when required at school), easily distracted, again more obvious at school. I don't know any other child with ADHD, so these just may be those symptoms, but I read that many children dx ADHD go on to be dx on the autistic spectrum - maybe I'm looking for things that aren't there ifswim. He is a social animal and loves interacting albeit he can be in your face and appear over confident/impulsive. He is funny and a bit of a clown - anything for a laugh. He can be a bugger in class and I've seen him wonder off and say he's bored ... doesn't go down well

My ds is not on medication as 'they' and us did not think it was severe enough to warrant it. He does not have a SEN as, again, it doesn't affect his education to a significant extent - for the moment anyway. How is your ds's use of language 'wrong'?

Wrong because he'll imitate adults and talk to children as though he's a teacher. Lots of 'echolalia' - copying - including copying arguments he hears in streets/ parks and laughing and reciting chunks of films again and again. Also takes things very literally and finds sarcasm etc. very hard to read. Will talk to adults like they are children - everyone on a same level, so will tell the headteacher to shut up and go away, which makes him sooo popular as you can imagine. No concept of social rules. Rote responses e.g. mixes up thank you and sorry.

I would ask whoever he's under for the ADHD what they think. If they say he's just ADHD, may put your mind at rest, though I'm reading it that you may have raised it already?

How are his friendships etc?

Friendships are ok - not lots as only 6. Got a 1 or 2 mates in class and 1 or 2 outside school. He's very boisterous and loves roll play (power rangers, goodies and baddies etc) usual boys stuff. People like him and generally think he is 'fun', if not a little exhausting to be around.

He knows right from wrong, he knows about taking turns, although can be inpatient. Doesn't mix up responses as you mentioned and hopefully, would never tell his HT to shut up - I loved that one !! , although, I've wanted to tell her to in the past .... he is also quite sarcastic himself actually

Sounds pretty typical then. I sometimes think there's a grey area between 'his own person, slightly outside the box and quirky cool/ enthusiastic' and 'something autisticy about him that sets him apart from others and isn't nice for him'.

Your ds sounds like the first and J is sadly the second. Individuality is great - as long as it doesn't upset the individual. Hope I'm making sense. I don;t think all kids should have to fit the mold, but clearly they can;t tell adults to shut up either.

Is your ds happy at school? He sounds lovely!

Yes, I think he is most of the time except when "they shout at me" I know he's a handful there, but he's managing well academically - reading is coming on great, doesn't like writing or number wok, but seems to be on target. He has a good teacher this year, lots of experience but next year is a jnr teacher and I'm worried.

He's on school action and has monthly achievement reports for behavior. I sopose the good sign is he runs into school and acts as the 'meet and greet' to the other kids - it's very funny to watch him on the school gate

Oh, and I'm taking him to see a cranial osteopath - thought it might help his overall demeanor What do you think?

J is saem re: liking reading but not writing or maths. LEA are buying him a laptop for writing to try to help motivate him.

Have heard good things about cranial osteopathy - worth a try!

Let me know - might try if you think it works!